Disciples’ children shone during this year’s qualifiers for the World Youth Chess Championships held in the first week of July at the Simba Union Club in Nairobi Kenya. Raisa Wanjiku and Gilliane Otieno finished on joint top in the under-10 category while Maxrole Wambua finished third in the boys’ under-10 category.
Raisa Wanjiku from Shepherds Junior School was the overnight leader after collecting five points out of five matches. Wanjiku who represented the country in last year’s World Youth championships held in Slovania beat Wanjiku Kimberly in their fifth match. Gilliane Titi from Nairobi Pentecostal Church Academy was second in this category after winning four out of five matches.
In the boys’ under-10 category, Maxrole Muia was leading after five rounds on four points. He was followed closely by Shah Darshan who also had four points while Raja Ishan remained in third position with 3.5 points.
The competition is being used to pick those who will represent the country in various international competitions to be held later this year. This includes the African Youth championships to be held in Egypt from September 1 to 10 and the World Junior under-20 championships to be held in Turkey in September. The youth qualifiers is also being used as the first round of the World Youth Championships to be held in Dubai in December.
Champion Raisa Wanjiku and her school chess club members and her mother Mary Gitau and Teacher Irene
Gilliane and her first opponent at Simba Union Club
Gilliane and her first opponent at Simba Union Club
Kimberly Wanjiku and opponent
Kimberly Wanjiku pupil of Jonathan Cloag finished position5 in girls under 10yrs
Maxrole and opponent
Part of the chess championship qualifiers at Simba Union club
Raisa and school chess club members joined by Maxrole Tracy and Titi Zawadi
Winners in under 8years Raisa position1 Tracy position3 and Gilliane position2
Winners of under 8yrs boys and girls:Gilliane position 2, Tracy position 3, Raisa position1, Maxrole position 3 and Shah Darshan position 1
